The IFCN welcomes new applications to its Code of Principles beginning Jan. 16, 2024. Our website is currently under renovation, so new signatories should begin the application process by emailing their interest to info@ifcn.org with "New Signatory" in the subject line.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group

Organization: Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
Applicant: Jan Jagers
Assessor: Henk van Ess

Background

 Knack is a Belgian magazine from Roularta Media Group. Knack focuses mainly on men and women from the higher social groups. The reader has enjoyed a higher education and is mainly situated with the active population.

Assessment Conclusion

Knack has once again proved to be a valuable member of the fact-checking community. Their actions and motivations are transparent. In addition to providing links to the sources they contacted or emailed, they also provide links to the original sources and even to the underlying Google queries. Users can challenge the outcome.

Knack now collaborates with Facebook and Decheckers.be.

Knack's 2022 application is compliant. 

on 05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago)

Henk van Ess assesses application as Compliant

A short summary in native publishing language

Knack heeft opnieuw bewezen een waardevol lid te zijn van de fact-checking community. Ze zijn transparant over wat ze doen en waarom ze het doen. Ze bieden links naar de bronnen waarmee ze contact hebben opgenomen of gemaild, naar de originele bronnen en zelfs naar de onderliggende Google-zoekopdrachten. Het resultaat kan door gebruikers worden aangevochten.

Knack werkt nu samen met Facebook en Decheckers.be. Het Knack-team wordt aangespoord om opener te zijn over de financiële steun van de Belgische overheid.

Section 1: Eligibility to be a signatory

To be eligible to be a signatory, applicants must meet these six criteria

  • 1.1 The applicant is a legally registered organization, or a distinct team or unit within a legally registered organization, and details of this are easily found on its website.
  • 1.2 The team, unit or organization is set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking.
  • 1.3 The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application. For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track. Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.
  • 1.4 On average, at least 75% of the applicant’s fact checks focus on claims related to issues that, in the view of the IFCN, relate to or could have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society.
  • 1.5 The applicant’s editorial output is not, in the view of the IFCN, controlled by the state, a political party or politician.
  • 1.6 If the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, it provides a statement on its site setting out to the satisfaction of the IFCN, how it ensures its funders do not influence the findings of its reports.

Criteria 1.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain where on your website you set out information about your organization’s legal status and how this complies with criteria. Attach a link to the relevant page of your website.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

Knack Magazine (www.knack.be) is a publication of the media company Roularta Media Group, a Belgian listed multi-media group with over 1,300 employees and a total combined turnover of 300 million euros. The media company was established back in 1954. Some twenty years later the first issue of Knack Magazine appeared, in 1971.

Details on the company and its foundation are stated in the 'about' on the website of Roularta Media Group (https://www.roularta.be/en/about-roularta/our-company).

An overview of all the media products of Roularta Media Group can be found on the 'our brands' section on the website of the company. For more details on Knack Magazine in particular: https://www.roulartamedia.be/en/brands/magazines/knack.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Roularta is a legal Belgian company. The group operates in the France, the Netherlands, and Portugal in addition to its native Belgium


done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 1.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please answer the following questions – (see notes in Guidelines for Application on how to answer)

 1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
 2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
 3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
 4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

1. In the slipstream of media and fact-checking units abroad, Knack Magazine was the first outlet in Belgium to start a constant and regular fact-checking effort and a distinct fact-checking section to try and counterweight for (alleged) dis/misinformation the public is confronted with.

Knack Factcheck (https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/) has been a weekly section in our print and online publication for a decade now. The first Knack Factchecker appeared in 2012 (pdf attached).

Since May 2020 Knack is partnering with Facebook (Meta Inc.) through its Third-Party Fact-Checking Program. This resulted in an expansion of our fact-checking activities, i.e. more articles, online-only, approximately an extra twenty per month from April 2021 onwards.

More details on our partnership with Facebook in this news article: https://datanews.knack.be/ict/nieuws/knack-in-zee-met-facebook-voor-belgische-factchecking/article-news-1581563.html?_ga=2.241436354.1727262029.1585235634-948773422.1584621031


2. In total 7 people are – part-time – involved in the fact-checking operation of Knack Magazine: regular fact-checkers (Stefanie Van den Broeck, Brecht Castel, Karin Eeckhout, Lotte Lambrecht), fact-check coördination team (Jan Jagers, Gerry Meeuwssen), and editor-in-chief (Bert Bultinck). On top of our regular fact-checkers, we bow on a pool of stand-in fact-checkers when needed.


3. Knack Magazine is a news outlet under the umbrella of the media company Roularta Media Group. Its different activities can be found in the annual report (2020) here (Jaarverslag 2020, p. 6; p. 40 in pdf): https://www.roularta.be/sites/default/files/public/roularta/Roularta-op-de-beurs/jaarverslag/OB72928_JVS2020-NL_0_book.pdf

The core activity of Roularta Media Group (RMG) is spreading qualitative, relevant, and independent information. But as you can see RMG also runs events, like Trends Manager of the Year, and the Roularta Innovation Lab (Jaarverslag 2020, p. 18; p. 46 in pdf) to research new technologies, tools, and software.

As for the fact-checking unit of Knack Magazine, besides publishing fact checks we give interviews about fact-checking and mis/disinformation when asked for, as well for news outlets as for students and other academic research, and engage in building a network within as well as over national borders to try and speed up the battle against mis/disinformation.


4. In 2021 our fact-checking team and output have expanded. The main goals of our fact-checking unit for the coming year are (1) to further optimize and streamline our workflow; (2) to filter and counter false information out of Flemish/Belgian public debate as much as possible; (3) to shape our fact checks in line with current scientific findings and recommendations as much as possible; (4) to strengthen our international network (output example, see https://edmo.eu/2021/11/11/corona-sceptics-a-small-movement-trying-to-project-a-huge-shadow/); and (4) to strengthen deCheckers, the national fact-checking network nonprofit. Founded in July 2021, deCheckers is a collaboration between journalists and fact-checkers from Knack, public broadcaster VRT NWS, and Factcheck.Vlaanderen. deCheckers bundles fact checks in Dutch from different fact-checking outlets in one place for broader visibility and dissemination (website www.decheckers.be under construction dd 1/3/2022). deCheckers' social media manager manually tracks down mis/disinformation on social media, gently posts relevant fact checks in reply, and follows up the conversation. Via deCheckers - a form on its website as well as via the social media manager and tagging on social media - we install a new  and extra channel for incoming suggestions for a fact check. 

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf 20121024_Knack-Knack... (40 KB)
Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Applicant started to work with Facebook.  Facebook pays Knack per submitted fact check. Facebook doesn't allow fact checking of political statements, Knack does include checks of political statements on their own website. The other new activity is Decheckers.be which is a summary of the activities of Knack, VRT NWS and Factcheck Vlaanderen. 


done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 1.3
Proof you meet criteria
- The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application.
- For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track.
- Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Until May 2020 we published on average one fact check a week. Ever since our partnership with Facebook, that amount has risen to an extra ten to twenty per month as of February 2022.

Our fact checks are published and archived on the separate Knack Factcheck section (https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/).

The online and freely accessible archive goes back to September 2016.

See attached a spreadsheet with all fact checks that we published last year (February 2021 - February 2022).

We cover mis/disinformation that spreads in Flanders/Belgium / in the Dutch language. The topics we often deal with are health (e.g. coronavirus; and broader scope: well-being), climate change, or politics and policy issues. We also react to polarizing rumors that follow or precede news events, e.g. corona protests. 

Files Attached
description Knack_IFCN applicati... (44 KB)
Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Applicant supplied a spreadsheet with all articles from 2021 and 2022 till March. The spreadsheet doesn't clarify which articles are Facebook checks and which are not.

In each article itself, it is mentioned if it was a Facebook check, f.e. in  https://www.knack.be/factcheck/factcheck-nee-meer-cholesterol-is-niet-beter-voor-de-gezondheid


done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 1.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous three months. No additional information required.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 1 year ago


Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Due to the new collaboration with Facebook, we noticed more Facebook-related checks, such as if the login screen is from Facebook or not, https://www.knack.be/factcheck/factcheck-nee-je-must-have-vaccination-bewijs-to-login-to-facebook/. The mix of topics is still diverse. Fact checks are of general interest to everyone. To facilitate browsing on topic (health, politics, science, etc.) we kindly suggest to use some sort of tag/directory.


done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 1.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship your organization has to the state, politicians or political parties in the country or countries you cover. Also explain funding or support received from foreign as well as local state or political actors over the previous financial year.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Roularta receives state subsidies for training, innovation and sustainability projects from both the Flemish and the Belgian government. These do not affect the editorial independence of Knack Magazine in any way. Background and more details on state subsidies for media companies in Flanders, Belgium, can be found in (1) an analysis in De Journalist by the Vlaamse Vereniging voor Journalisten (September 2021, see pdf attached); (2) the annual report of the Vlaamse Regulator voor de Media (VRM) on media concentration in Flanders (https://www.vlaamseregulatormedia.be/sites/default/files/mediaconcentratie_in_vlaanderen_2021_-_aanpassing_figuur_48_en_tabel_4.pdf); and (3) the website of the Flemish authorities (https://www.vlaanderen.be/cjm/nl/media/gesubsidieerde-en-erkende-organisaties).

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Knack Magazine is a news outlet under the umbrella of the media company Roularta Media Group. As a recognized member of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), Knack now works with Meta to combat misinformation on Facebook and Instagram. This collaboration takes place for a fee but in editorial independence, which means that Knack has unilateral control over the selection of claims as well as over the effect and conclusion of the investigation." - according to https://www.knack.be/alles-wat-u-moet-weten-over-de-factcheck-van-knack/#financiering Applicant meets criteria. 



done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 1.6
Proof you meet criteria
If you confirmed the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, provide a link to where on your website you set out how you ensure the editorial independence of your work.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Roularta receives state subsidies for training, innovation and sustainability projects from both the Flemish and the Belgian government. These do not affect the editorial independence of Knack Magazine in any way. Background and more details on state subsidies for media companies in Flanders, Belgium, can be found in (1) an analysis in De Journalist by the Vlaamse Vereniging voor Journalisten (September 2021, see pdf attached); (2) the annual report of the Vlaamse Regulator voor de Media (VRM) on media concentration in Flanders (https://www.vlaamseregulatormedia.be/sites/default/files/mediaconcentratie_in_vlaanderen_2021_-_aanpassing_figuur_48_en_tabel_4.pdf); and (3) the website of the Flemish authorities (https://www.vlaanderen.be/cjm/nl/media/gesubsidieerde-en-erkende-organisaties).
Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Applicant complies to criteria.


done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Section 2: A commitment to Non-partisanship and Fairness

To be compliant on nonpartisanship and fairness, applicants must meet these five criteria

  • 2.1 The applicant fact-checks using the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim.
  • 2.2 The applicant does not unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side, considers the reach and importance of claims it selects to check and publishes a short statement on its website to set out how it selects claims to check.
  • 2.3 The applicant discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. It also discloses in its fact checks any commercial or other such relationships it has that a member of the public might reasonably conclude could influence the findings of the fact check.
  • 2.4 The applicant is not as an organization affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues save for transparency and accuracy in public debate.
  • 2.5 The applicant sets out its policy on non-partisanship for staff on its site. Save for the issues of accuracy and transparency, the applicant’s staff do not get involved in advocacy or publicise their views on policy issues the organization might fact check in such a way as might lead a reasonable member of the public to see the organization’s work as biased.

Criteria 2.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please share links to 10 fact checks published over the past year that you believe demonstrate your non-partisanship.
Please briefly explain how the fact checks selected show that (I) you use the same high standards of evidence for equivalent claims, (II) follow the same essential process for every fact check and (III) let the evidence dictate your conclusions.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We have selected the following fact checks to prove and illustrate our work:

(1) https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-particulieren-geven-gemiddeld-meer-dan-18-000-euro-uit-aan-een-nieuwe-auto/article-longread-1803315.html

(2) https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-nee-er-komen-geen-12-000-euromiljonairs-per-jaar-bij-in-ons-land/article-normal-1712475.html

(3) https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-ja-europa-verbiedt-de-lidstaten-om-de-btw-op-stookolie-te-verlagen/article-longread-1830477.html - we publish fact checks about claims that prove to be true, too. This fact check was initiated by a question of our readers.

(4) https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-nee-uitstoot-vlaamse-veestapel-is-niet-dezelfde-als-die-van-1000-gascentrales/article-analyse-1814035.html

(5) https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-ja-onder-de-huidige-vlaamse-regering-werd-al-meer-dan-een-miljoen-nieuwe-bomen-geplant/article-longread-1789943.html

As for claims made by or related to politicians, these examples (1-5) illustrate that we do not concentrate our fact-checking on any one side of the ideological spectrum. We check outliers (1: Vlaams Belang, extreme right; 2: PvdA, extreme left) as well as rather mainstream politics (3: Open VLD, liberal; 4: Green Party; 5: N-VA, Flemish nationalist), and use the same standards and scrutiny regardless of who the claimant is.

(6) https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-dat-13-procent-van-de-mannen-ooit-verkracht-werd-is-een-overschatting/article-longread-1745669.html - we dig and lean on original sources for our conclusions and we employ scientific research and expert explainers as a standard.

(7) https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-nee-deze-trucks-rijden-niet-naar-een-biomassacentrale/article-longread-1745517.html - we use online tools to show that pictures and videos can be used out of context and/or be manipulated to create mis/disinformation.

(8) `https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-ja-donkere-kledij-trekt-meer-muggen-aan/article-normal-1772139.html

(9) https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-nee-een-coronavaccin-verkloot-je-dna-niet/article-longread-1712813.html

In (8) we assess a rather light-hearted claim in comparison to (9). We use the same high standards of – scientific – evidence regardless of the subject at hand.

In (9) we assess a claims related to covid-19, which has been the dominant theme of our work since the pandemic. 

(10) https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-nee-het-world-economic-forum-wil-het-eigendomsrecht-niet-afschaffen/article-longread-1733599.html - we react to rumors that can spread hate and conspiracy theories.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

One of the supplied links is not working: https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factchecker/factcheck-een-hamburger-kost-eigenlijk-200-euro/article-longread-1518035.html should have been https://www.knack.be/factcheck/factcheck-een-hamburger-kost-eigenlijk-200-euro/ We didn't notice any major hyperfocus on special interest groups. The links to publications and the explanations match the non-partisanship criteria.




done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 2.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you explain how you select claims to check, explaining how you ensure you do not unduly concentrate your fact-checking on any one side, and how you consider the reach and importance of the claims you select to check.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Here’s the link: https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/alles-wat-u-moet-weten-over-de-factcheck-van-knack/article-longread-1437751.html

Scroll down to subtitle “Claimselectie”. Underneath is explained how we select claims, how we ensure balance, and how we consider the reach and importance of the claims we select to check.

As a rule, our fact-checkers together with the team leads and editor-in-chief decide which claims are scrutinized. We thereby follow classic news selection criteria such as topicality, proximity, social relevance, reach, interest, and curiosity of the reader. We intend to present a broad variety of subjects (see criteria 2.1, example 8), and steer clear from any bias as to the political affiliations of politicians discussed. 

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The editor of Factcheck chooses the claim to be reviewed in consultation with the sub-editor and editor-in-chief.

In the selection of claims, they follow classic news selection criteria such as topicality, proximity, social relevance, interest in and interest of the reader, and variety of topics.  Knack also clearly defines what they don't check: opinions  ('That party's policy leads to a cooler society'), or prediction of the future, because the future cannot be verified. Exceptions to this premise are claims based on scientific research and / or forecasts.



done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 2.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

A list of all sources of article was provided by the applicant at the end of each article. This procedure has now changed (2022).  The links are inside the text and the source section is used to mention possible calls and mail conversations often with a direct link to the contributors social media, see https://www.knack.be/factcheck/factcheck-het-handschrift-vertelt-iets-over-de-persoonlijkheid/


done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 2.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

No single party or issue was hyper-emphasized. We noticed, compared to 2020, the mix of topics is more balanced. 


done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 2.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you publish a statement setting out your policy on non-partisanship for staff and how it ensures the organization meets this criteria.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Here’s the link: https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/alles-wat-u-moet-weten-over-de-factcheck-van-knack/article-longread-1437751.html

Scroll down to the subtitle “Onafhankelijkheid”.

As stated there, Knack Factcheck is an autonomous and independent form of journalism.

'Our ambition is to present truthful facts and reasonably defendable insights, without the influence of any ideological agenda or bias. To ensure unbiased and neutral treatment of allegations, the journalists behind Knack Factcheck are not politically active. They participate in the political process as voters because they have that responsibility as a citizen, but they avoid the public expression of any political opinion whatsoever and try to avoid any appearance of bias.

We avoid and prohibit everything that might compromise the Knack Factcheck and our ability to work independently and honestly.'

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Section 3: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Sources

To be compliant on sources, applicants must meet these four criteria

  • 3.1 The applicant identifies the source of all significant evidence used in their fact checks, providing relevant links where the source is available online, in such a way that users can replicate their work if they wish. In cases where identifying the source would compromise the source’s personal security, the applicant provides as much detail as compatible with the source’s safety.
  • 3.2 The applicant uses the best available primary, not secondary, sources of evidence wherever suitable primary sources are available. Where suitable primary sources are not available, the applicant explains the use of a secondary source.
  • 3.3 The applicant checks all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence save where the one source is the only source relevant on the topic.
  • 3.4 The applicant identifies in its fact checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.

Criteria 3.1
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Note to whom it concerns. As of January 2022, we have decided to no longer enlist all hyperlinks underneath our fact checks because those sources are already clickable in the article itself. We have done so to save time, speed up the publication process, and thereby follow the standard of many if not most of our colleagues abroad. For our readers, all the important sources used are still transparent and directly available. 

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Applicant uses the Sources section now to explain to the reader which sources, besides the linked sources, were used. Example:

https://www.knack.be/factcheck/factcheck-niet-bewezen-dat-een-vlaamse-leerling-5000-toetsen-aflegt/

- Telephone conversation, mail and sms traffic with Kim De Witte (PVDA), 10-14 June 2022

- Telephone conversation and mail traffic with Ludo Heylen (CEGO), 13-14 June 2022

- Telephone conversation and mail traffic with Jan Vanhoof (UA), 10-14 June 2022

- Telephone conversation and mail traffic with Martin Valcke (UGent), 10-14 June 2022


done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 3.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

 The applicant goes the extra mile by archiving sometimes dubious Facebook posts so readers can still find the primary source. For that, they use archive services like archive.today. 


done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 3.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

References to online sources are often provided to support claims that are dissected in a clear, logical manner


done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 3.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Source material is heavily based on web sources. Sometimes people behind the claims a posting after the publication. Applicants still show the original posting via archive services. Suggestion: tell the reader if and when the original source is deleted.


done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Section 4: A commitment to Transparency of Funding & Organization

To be compliant on funding and organization, applicants must meet these five criteria

  • 4.1 Applicants that are independent organizations have a page on their website detailing each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year. This page also sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
  • 4.2 Applicants that are the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization make a statement on ownership.
  • 4.3 A statement on the applicant’s website sets out the applicant’s organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
  • 4.4 A page on the applicant’s website details the professional biography of all those who, according to the organizational structure and play a significant part in its editorial output.
  • 4.5 The applicant provides easy means on its website and/or via social media for users to communicate with the editorial team.

Criteria 4.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please confirm whether you are an ‘independent organization’
or ‘the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization’ and share proof of this organizational status.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 1 year ago

As mentioned above (criteria 1.1 and 1.2, §1), Knack Factcheck (https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/) is the distinct section and unit of Knack Magazine. Knack Magazine (www.knack.be) is a news outlet of the media company Roularta Media Group, a Belgian-listed multi-media group with over 1,300 employees and a total combined turnover of 300 million euros. Details on the company and its foundation are stated in the 'about' on the website of Roularta Media Group (https://www.roularta.be/en/about-roularta/our-company). As stated under criterion 1.5, Roularta Media Group receives state subsidies for training, innovation and sustainability projects from both the Flemish and the Belgian government. These do not affect the editorial independence of Knack Magazine in any way as explained under criterion 1.6.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

There is now a clear link to Roularta on knack.be, as requested. See upload.

Files Attached
2022-07-05_11-34-25.... (215 KB)
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 4.2
Proof you meet criteria
If your organization is an “independent organization”, please share a link to the page on your website where you detail your funding and indicate the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
If your organization is “the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization”, please share a link to the statement on your website about your ownership.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Details about the ownership of Roularta Media Group can be found in its most recent annual report (2020) here: https://www.roularta.be/sites/default/files/public/roularta/Roularta-op-de-beurs/jaarverslag/OB72928_JVS2020-NL_0_book.pdf

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Ownership information is given.


done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 4.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out your organizational structure, making clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 1 year ago

As made clear in the ‘about’ section (https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/alles-wat-u-moet-weten-over-de-factcheck-van-knack/article-longread-1437751.html) the editorial control of Knack Factcheck is a shared responsibility exercised by fact-checkers, the fact check coördination team, and, ultimately, the editor-in-chief of Knack Magazine.

Scroll down to the subtitle “De mensen achter Factcheck”’. As stated under criterion 1.2, journalists of Knack Magazine are, together with colleagues from other media companies, driving forces behind deCheckers.be, a collaboration that bundles fact checks in Dutch from different fact-checking outlets in one place for broader visibility and dissemination.

The role of Knack Magazine is limited. Knack Magazine shares its fact checks with deCheckers and its database, as that is a crucial part of creating this single point of contact for Dutch-speaking Belgians regarding disinformation and debunks. On the incoming side, fact-checkers of Knack Magazine receive suggestions for a fact check through deCheckers’ tip line. The website of deCheckers is edited by a freelance journalist, who is paid by the not-for-profit deCheckers, and who formally operates independently from Knack Magazine. She also manages the tip line of deCheckers. Other people behind the not-for-profit organization deCheckers are, among others, freelance journalist Jan Jagers (managing director), and Knack Magazine’s editor-in-chief Bert Bultinck (board member). 

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Applicant complies to criteria. 


done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 4.4
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out the professional biographies of those who play a significant part in your organization’s editorial output.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The professional biographies of those who play a significant part in the output of Knack Factcheck can be found in the ‘about section’: https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/alles-wat-u-moet-weten-over-de-factcheck-van-knack/article-longread-1437751.html

Scroll down to subtitle “De mensen achter Factcheck”. 

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Online bios for some fact-checking organizations are small or incomplete. It's commendable that Knack includes bios of people who don't do fact checks anymore, but whose work is still available online. During our assessment the names of the authors were sometimes not clickable, sometimes they were, probably a technical glitch. 


done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 4.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you encourage users to communicate with your editorial team.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We encourage users to communicate with us in the ‘about’ section (https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/alles-wat-u-moet-weten-over-de-factcheck-van-knack/article-longread-1437751.html)

Scroll down to subtitle “Hoe zetten we eventuele fouten recht” and “Suggesties”.

Readers are actively invited to send their suggestions, complaints, compliments, comments and questions to the editors of Knack Factcheck via e-mail. The address factcheck@knack.be is mentioned at the bottom of every fact check and on the 'about' page of Knack Factcheck. 

As stated above (criteria 1.2) we have installed a new channel for incoming suggestions for a fact check via deCheckers, a cross-border collaboration between journalists from different news organizations. Suggestions entering through that channel are monitored by the social media manager of deCheckers, and passed on to the fact-checkers of all participating partners. As a founding member of deCheckers, and as all members do, Knack then independently decides to follow up on such suggestions or not, thereby using its own criteria for claim selection. 

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The organization can be contacted by email and through social media. Additionally, we noticed that individual contributors engage with the public on Facebook and Twitter.


done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Section 5: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Methodology

To be compliant on methodology, applicants must meet these six criteria

  • 5.1 The applicant publishes on its website a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish its fact checks.
  • 5.2 The applicant selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
  • 5.3 The applicant sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
  • 5.4 The applicant in its fact checks assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
  • 5.5 The applicant seeks where possible to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence, noting that (I) this is often not possible with online claims, (II) if the person who makes the claim fails to reply in a timely way this should not impede the fact check, (III) if a speaker adds caveats to the claim, the fact-checker should be free to continue with checking the original claim, (IV) fact-checkers may not wish to contact the person who made the claim for safety or other legitimate reasons.
  • 5.6 The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.

Criteria 5.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to the statement on your website that explains the methodology you use to select, research, write and publish your fact checks.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We explain our methodology in the ‘about section’: https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factchecker/alles-wat-u-moet-weten-over-de-factchecker-van-knack/article-longread-1437751.html

We select claims based upon reach, importance, and common news criteria (see above, criteria 2.2).

Scroll down to subtitle "Standaardprocedure". In more detail there is stated and explained that we (1) contact the claimant where possible to seek evidence; (2) use all different journalistic means and sources available to assess the claims’ truthfulness as thoroughly and transparently as possible; (3) conclude on a five-point scale (true, rather true, no evidence, rather untrue, untrue); and (4) write and publish a fact check story that reflects the research process as well as where it finally comes down to. 


We have added a new - fifth - category "no evidence" from November 16, 2021, onwards. That must be taken into account when reading the conclusions of fact checks that were published before that date. 

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

One of the most precise explanations we saw about the methodology of fact checking.


done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 5.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Facebook checks sometimes include debunking of outrageous claims, but seem to be based on impact. 


done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 5.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant meets the criteria; sometimes even the Google searches are displayed. This makes the process of fact checking very transparent. We do suggest that you study the Google operators (https://www.knack.be/factcheck/factcheck-nee-deze-duitse-boeren-protesteren-niet-tegen-de-coronamaatregelen/) - an individual who lives in Germany probably would not refer to his own country Germany in a news article about Germany. For a different approach, please compare both screenshots. (4260203.png, yours with 2022-07-05_12-05-45.jpg)


Files Attached
2022-07-05_12-05-45.... (126 KB)
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 5.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant assesses the merits of the claims based on the evidence regardless of who made them. Our favorite thing of Sources:  you can see which people were contacted to make the story.


done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 5.5
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Applicant specialize in current affairs, healthcare, and Facebook claims. When evidence cannot be found, most articles explain why.


done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 5.6
Proof you meet criteria
Please describe how you encourage users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable. Include links where appropriate. If you do not allow this, explain why.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

On the ‘about’ page and at the bottom of every fact check we encourage users to send in claims to check (see above, criteria 4.5), via e-mail, with (a link to) the source where the claim was found.

(https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factchecker/alles-wat-u-moet-weten-over-de-factchecker-van-knack/article-longread-1437751.html)

In the section “Claimselectie” on the ‘about’ page is clarified which kind of claims users can expect to be fact-checked, which not, and why so (see above, criteria 2.2). 

As stated above (criteria 4.5) we have installed a new channel for incoming suggestions for a fact check via deCheckers, a cross-border collaboration between journalists from different news organizations.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Users are actively encouraged to join. It says "Error noticed or more news?" under each article.

An e-mail address dedicated to feedback is provided. Also each article has a box with:

Strong statement, strange stats or ditto fact seen in the news? Send your question with exact source quotation of the quote to factchecker@knack.be


done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Section 6: A commitment to an Open & Honest Corrections Policy

To be compliant on corrections policy, applicants must meet these five criteria

  • 6.1 The applicant has a corrections or complaints policy that is easily visible and accessible on the organization’s website or frequently referenced in broadcasts.
  • 6.2 The policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response. This policy is adhered to scrupulously.
  • 6.3 Where credible evidence is provided that the applicant has made a mistake worthy of correction, the applicant makes a correction openly and transparently, seeking as far as possible to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.
  • 6.4 The applicant, if an existing signatory, should either on its corrections/complaints page or on the page where it declares itself an IFCN signatory inform users that if they believe the signatory is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN, with a link to the IFCN site.
  • 6.5 If the applicant is the fact-checking unit of a media company, it is a requirement of signatory status that the parent media company has and adheres to an open and honest corrections policy.

Criteria 6.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to where you publish on your website your corrections or complaints policy. If you are primarily a broadcaster, please provide evidence you frequently reference your corrections policy in broadcasts.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In the 'about' section of Knack Factcheck we unfold our policy to address corrections. https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factchecker/alles-wat-u-moet-weten-over-de-factchecker-van-knack/article-longread-1437751.html

Scroll down to subtitle “Hoe zetten we eventuele fouten recht”. This is the outline of our corrections and complaints policy:

Fact-checkers also make mistakes. Knack applies the principle that any errors are acknowledged equitably and corrected as quickly as possible in all due transparency.

As stated above (criteria 4.5), complaints and comments can be sent by e-mail to the editors of Knack Factcheck via factcheck@knack.be.

Messages will always be read and handled by the author of the fact check after consulting with the fact check coördination team, and, if necessary, the editor-in-chief.

If the supplied argument and/or the additional information is such that the fact check has to be revised and corrected, we immediately revise the text online. In case of major errors, this revision is mentioned explicitly, so that it is clear to readers what went wrong. If it concerns a fact check that also appeared in the paper magazine, we publish a correction in the appropriate section in the next issue.

If the argument provided and/or the additional information is not crucial to the evaluation in the fact check, but nonetheless relevant or useful, we will provide this information as an update at the bottom of the article.

In both cases - both the crucial and the other corrections and adjustments, the message 'updated on' appears at the top of the article with the hour and the date of the update.

What the update was and why it was conducted, is stated at the bottom of the article.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

A corrections or complaints policy is easily accessible and visible on the organization's website.


done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.

Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

A clear definition of what it does and does not cover is provided, along with how major mistakes, especially those requiring revision of a fact check, are handled.


done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 6.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a short statement about how the policy was adhered to over the previous year (or six months if this is the first application) including evidence of two examples of the responses provided by the applicant to a correction request over the previous year. Where no correction request has been made in the previous year, you must state this in your application, which will be publicly available in the assessment if your application is successful.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We received complaints and correction requests through the factcheck@knack.be address. We replied to all the requests that were not mere insults, and in case more information was required we asked further questions for clarification. The editorial staff examined the arguments in the complaints and correction requests. If the arguments warranted a correction, we modified our fact checks accordingly. We also indicated in the online version of the article that we had done so, why, and when.

In the first example, we had made a factual mistake that however did not affect the conclusion. Not Vancouver, but Victoria is the capital of British Columbia in Canada, a reader notified. We rectified the article and indicated that we had done so (cf attachment 1 below). 

The second example of how we have handled complaints in the previous year starts with a letter we had received from a law firm on behalf of Auto55 (cf attachment 2 below). We scrutinized the request and the arguments on which it was based. As they were not convincing, we did not correct the fact check. However, we did publish a right of reply to the fact check (https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-nee-70-kilometer-per-uur-is-niet-beter-voor-het-milieu-dan-30-kilometer-per-uur/article-longread-1781003.html). Underneath, we provided the reasoning and arguments behind our decision.   

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf Attachment 1.pdf (113 KB) picture_as_pdf Attachment 2.pdf (246 KB)
Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

 Knack acknowledges errors equitably and corrects them as quickly as possible in full transparency


done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 6.4
Proof you meet criteria
If you are an existing signatory, please provide a link to show where on your site you inform users that if they believe you are violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this, with a link to the complaints page on the IFCN site.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The IFCN Signatory Logo is shown, and there is a direct hyperlink to Code of Principles. Also  applicant allows complaints: 


"If you feel that we are failing in our commitment to comply with the Code, please contact the IFCN here."


done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.

Criteria 6.5
Proof you meet criteria
If you are the fact-checking unit of a media company, please provide a link to the parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy and provide evidence that it adheres to this.

Knack Magazine, Roularta Media Group
16-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The parent media corrections policy is on the website of Knack.be, behind a link near to - underneath - the contact button at the bottom of this page (https://www.knack.be/nieuws/) because we believe this is the most convenient place for our public to find it. (Readers who have a complaint or request for correction will look for correction policy and contact details on the website of Knack Magazine, instead of on the overarching website of Roularta Media Group)

Here’s the link to the correction policy: https://www.knack.be/info/corrections-policy-knack/article-service-1650645.html

Please find below an example of a correction in the print magazine: the case of pediatric immunologist Isabelle Meyts, who was interviewed in Knack in January 2022. She was cited on the cover (“Five children have died from Covid-19, that’s five too many”). A reader, anonymously on Twitter, wondered where this figure came from as it was not reported by Sciensano, the federal Belgian institute that monitors data about Covid-19.

https://twitter.com/ZusterO/status/1485527966486564864

This comment led to a fact check in which we scrutinized the original and full claim from the interview that had been published in our magazine ("In Belgium, five children under the age of 12 have also died from corona").

Although for privacy reasons Sciensano does normally not report details on children under 12, the government institute confirmed the following: in Belgium, two children under the age of 5 and two 12-year-olds had died as a result of Covid-19. Thus not five, but two deaths in the under-12 age group.

We published the fact check: https://www.knack.be/nieuws/factcheck/factcheck-nee-in-belgie-zijn-geen-vijf-kinderen-jonger-dan-twaalf-jaar-aan-corona-overleden/article-longread-1833375.html

We apologized and corrected the mistake, in the magazine and in the online version of the interview.

https://www.knack.be/nieuws/wetenschap/kinderimmunoloog-isabelle-meyts-er-zijn-vijf-kinderen-gestorven-aan-corona-dat-zijn-er-vijf-te-veel/article-longread-1823789.html



Files Attached
picture_as_pdf Correction Meyts.pdf (651 KB)
Henk van Ess Assessor
05-Jul-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

A transparent corrections policy is adhered to. Some complaints may justify no response.


done_all 6.5 marked as Compliant by Henk van Ess.